1 Samuel 18:5–11

⁵So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and ¹prospered; and Saul set him over the men of war. And it was pleasing in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

⁶It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that ^athe women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with ¹musical instruments.

⁷The women ^asang as they ¹played, and said,

“^bSaul has slain his thousands,

^cAnd David his ten thousands.”

⁸Then Saul became very angry, for this saying ¹displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now ^awhat more can he have but the kingdom?”

⁹Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

Saul Turns against David

¹⁰Now it came about on the next day that ^aan evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and ^bhe raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, ^1cas usual; and ^2da spear was in Saul’s hand.

^11aSaul hurled the spear for he thought, “I will ¹pin David to the wall.” But David ²escaped from his presence twice.